Where we unite black professionals like yourself in a vibrant community dedicated to growth and connection. Our group, abbreviated for “Things I Now Know,” is committed to fostering meaningful connections within our community through our Connected Communities approach.
We prioritize amplifying the incredible work already being done in our communities by non-profit and charitable black organizations, creating safe spaces for us to embody true kinship.
When we break bread together, we slow down to appreciate the foundational aspects of our oneness. By joining TH.I.N.K Meetups, you’ll engage with like-minded individuals passionate about empowering black professionals.
We cultivate a supportive environment where networking, mentorship, and collaboration thrive, focusing on topics beneficial to the Collective.
Here's More
Our events, discussions, and initiatives uplift and celebrate the achievements of black professionals while addressing the challenges they face.
In our community, connect with accomplished individuals from various industries, exchange insights, and gain valuable knowledge to enhance your professional journey.
We believe in the power of collective action and champion causes that uplift the black community, amplifying voices and promoting positive change. Join us and become an active participant in our mission.
Together, we create a powerful network supporting individual success and contributing to the advancement and empowerment of black professionals.
Through our monthly Meetups, we support black entrepreneurs and leverage technology to create safe spaces for black voices, thoughts, and aspirations to thrive.
We're excited to have you on this journey with us.
Current Team
Levar Saul
President
About Levar
Levar Saul is a dedicated community leader with a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. With over a decade of experience in banking and additional years leading sales teams, Levar has honed his leadership skills and emerged as a visionary in empowering others.
Driven by a deep sense of responsibility to his community, Levar leverages his professional expertise to uplift and support those around him. His commitment to giving back is evident in his active involvement in various community initiatives and mentorship programs.
Throughout his career, Levar has demonstrated a keen ability to connect with people and inspire positive change. Whether through volunteering, mentoring, or advocacy, he is dedicated to creating opportunities for growth and empowerment.
Levar’s impact extends far beyond the confines of the corporate world. His belief in the power of community and collaboration drives his efforts to foster a culture of support and inclusivity. By championing diversity and amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, Levar strives to create a more equitable and vibrant community for all.
As a father, husband, son, brother, and friend to many, Levar understands the importance of building strong relationships and supporting those closest to him. He leads by example, demonstrating compassion, integrity, and empathy in all aspects of his life.
With a vision for a brighter future and a heart full of compassion, Levar Saul continues to inspire others to join him in his mission to create positive change in the world.
Shantelle Smith
Vice President | Operations & Administration Manager
About Shantelle
Shantelle is deeply passionate about empowering the black community to structure their businesses and ensuring they receive proper representation in various ventures. Her journey in the legal field began as a former Judicial Clerk in Sherwood Park, Alberta, where she gained invaluable experience in the intricacies of the law.
After completing her legal education at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, Shantelle embarked on a career as a paralegal with Cooper Regel, paving the way for her eventual admission to the Alberta Bar in January 2022. Now, Shantelle is dedicated to tackling diverse areas of law, including civil, criminal, and commercial litigation, as well as personal injury and criminal law.
Driven by her commitment to people, advocacy, and the law, Shantelle continually seeks to deepen her understanding of each practice area. Her unwavering dedication to serving her clients and advocating for their rights sets her apart as a legal professional who truly cares about making a difference.
Outside of her legal pursuits, Shantelle finds joy in cooking and baking her famous Strawberry Cheesecake. She also loves embarking on adventures to new and exciting destinations, as well as honing her skills and breaking a sweat through kickboxing sessions. Through her multifaceted interests and endeavors, Shantelle embodies a spirit of determination, passion, and advocacy in both her professional and personal life.
Michelle Edey
Finance & Compliance Director
About Michelle
Michelle, born and raised in Toronto, brings a unique perspective to her work as she resonates deeply with the experiences of being a black professional, particularly the intersecting challenges faced by black female professionals. With a Diploma in Business Marketing & Administration from Niagara College and nearly two decades of diverse experience as an Executive Assistant, Project Coordinator, and Event Management Specialist across various industries, Michelle has found her true passion in Financial Literacy.
Having navigated through challenging financial circumstances herself, Michelle emerged debt-free in 2020, igniting her determination to help others achieve financial freedom. In 2021, she embarked on a career change journey, enrolling as a student in the Accredited Financial Counsellor of Canada Certification (AFCC Certification). As the Founder of WOKE Financial Coaching, Michelle channels her knowledge and experience to provide financial coaching tailored to diverse communities, recognizing the significant impact it can have on individuals’ lives.
Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, Michelle has ventured into two additional endeavors. In 2023, she co-founded Sivad Cleaning Services Inc. and became a Co-Founder of TH.I.N.K. Meetups alongside Soraya Saul, Shantelle Smith, and Levar Saul. Through these ventures, Michelle continues to advocate for empowerment and community building.
When not studying or supporting clients, Michelle cherishes spending time with her three daughters. Whether enjoying nature walks, hitting the gym, swimming, diving into a good book, or listening to music, Michelle finds balance and inspiration in life’s simple pleasures.
Soraya Saul
Events & Programs Director
About Soraya
Soraya Saul is driven by a profound desire to create a more inclusive world for her four young children, who embody the rich multicultural heritage of their family. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Soraya’s upbringing, with roots in India, has shaped her deep commitment to fostering diversity and equity in her community.
Her journey into education began during her studies at McMaster University, where Soraya discovered her passion for teaching. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree, she pursued a Bachelor of Education at the University of Ottawa. Soraya found her calling in teaching elementary students, finding immense joy and fulfillment in shaping young minds.
In her career, Soraya has been a trailblazer, exploring innovative teaching methods and implementing student-led curriculums based on their interests. Her dedication to education led her to teach full-time in Valleyview, Alberta, before returning to Edmonton.
Beyond the classroom, Soraya co-founded TH.I.N.K Meetups in Edmonton, Alberta, bringing together Black professionals to share knowledge and experiences for the benefit of both the Black and Ally communities. Soraya plays a pivotal role in managing the day-to-day operations and event logistics of this nonprofit organization.
Currently, Soraya is focused on caring for her two youngest children, but she looks forward to returning to the classroom and continuing to grow the TH.I.N.K Meetups organization. With her unwavering dedication to advocacy and community building, Soraya is determined to make a lasting impact in the lives of others and create a more inclusive world for future generations.
Akilah Muruko
Communications & Marketing Director
About Akilah
Akilah Muruko brings a blend of cultural insight, professional experience, and community leadership. Having grown up in Montreal, Akilah moved to Alberta in 2016, carrying with her a strong Caribbean heritage that continues to shape her values and community engagement.
With over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Akilah developed a sharp eye for detail, a commitment to quality, and a deep understanding of people and the systems that help shape them. Today, she has transitioned from corporate life to focus her energy on community volunteering and entrepreneurship. She is the proud founder of TNT Flash Essentials, a business dedicated to providing essential services with speed, integrity, and care.
Akilah has a strong dedication to fostering inclusive spaces and empowering voices—sometimes expressed poetically. She is a passionate lover of the arts, especially poetry, and finds joy in using creative expression to uplift and inspire. Beyond her professional and community work, Akilah holds her family close to her heart. As one of many siblings, she values the strength and support that comes from close family bonds and brings that same sense of unity and care into every space she enters.
Her cross-cultural perspective, professional background, artistic soul, and grassroots involvement enable her to bridge diverse communities and contribute meaningfully to conversations that inspire, connect, and drive change.
Winnie Mate-Maguire
Volunteer & Member Engagement Director
About Winnie
Winnie Mate-Maguire is a passionate dental hygienist, devoted mother, and active community volunteer who brings warmth, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose to every space she enters.
Originally from Kenya, Winnie was shaped by the country’s rich culture, vibrant community spirit, and deep-rooted family values. She moved to Canada in 1998 to pursue higher education, navigating the challenges of transition with grace and determination. Canada has since become her second home, offering a foundation for both personal and professional growth.
In her professional life, Winnie serves as a dental hygienist, a role through which she promotes oral health and holistic well-being with empathy and excellence. Her dedication to quality care reflects a broader commitment to service whether in a clinic or in the community.
Beyond her career, Winnie is a proud wife and mother to two daughters who are her constant source of joy and inspiration. She balances her many roles with compassion and grace nurturing her family, supporting extracurriculars, and being present for the moments that matter most.
Deeply committed to giving back, Winnie is actively involved in volunteer work, always seeking ways to uplift and support others. Her belief in community, connection, and purpose drives everything she does.
As part of the T.H.I.N.K Meetup team, Winnie is excited to collaborate, co-create, and contribute to meaningful impact within the community. Her journey is one of service, strength, and steady leadership and she’s just getting started.
Alric Reid
Impact & Data Reporting Director
About Alric
Alric Reid is a community builder, mental health advocate, and educator committed to healing and empowerment through connection, education, and lived experience.
As Co-Director of ReiDefine Wellness—Canada’s first all-Black owned and operated private mental health practice with all-Black practitioners serving clients across Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan—Alric is helping transform the conversation around mental health. His focus is especially on supporting Black communities and men, who are often underrepresented in wellness spaces. Currently pursuing studies in psychology, he brings a unique blend of academic insight, lived experience, and compassionate leadership to every space he enters.
Alric’s journey is deeply rooted in resilience. After experiencing racism in Saskatchewan, he became a pillar of strength for his family while also navigating his own healing. Rather than remaining silent, he channeled these challenges into purpose—mentoring boys, advocating for fathers, and supporting mental health transformation from the inside out.
With a background in education, Alric helped develop the first Black Mental Health Curriculum in Ontario, co-authored the Dismantling Hate and Oppression Framework for York Region District School Board, and served as a facilitator with the Toronto Community Benefits Network. He currently volunteers as co-host of “Let’s Unpack That,” a radio segment on My Radio 580 AM in Edmonton, where he helps amplify important mental health discussions.
As a Certified Life Coach and Mental Health Consultant, Alric works closely with individuals and communities to break generational cycles of silence and shame. Whether in workshops, schools, or one-on-one coaching sessions, he creates safe spaces for growth, self-awareness, and emotional resilience.
Alric believes fatherhood is more than a personal role—it’s a call to community leadership. His work continues to inspire men and boys to show up fully, lead with vulnerability, and redefine what strength looks like.
At TH.I.N.K Meetups, we don’t just talk about success—we build it, together.
Join us and be part of a movement that’s redefining what it means to succeed as a Black professional. Together, we’ll shape a brighter future for ourselves and the generations to come.